LymeNet Flash: What is Plaquenil...exactly?

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»	LymeNet Flash » Questions and Discussion » Medical Questions » What is Plaquenil...exactly?

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Author

Topic: What is Plaquenil...exactly?

triathletelymie
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 26456

posted

I have read different things...what is Plaquenil, exactly...an anti-malarial, I know...but... is it also an anti-parasitic and/or an antibiotic?

--------------------
? date of bite/no rash
10/09 symptoms, 4/10 diagnosed, after 6 mos. ER visits, tons of docs/tests
CDC+ 23/39/41/45/58/66/93
currently on oral plaquenil, doryx, rifampin, pyrazinamide, nystatin, numerous supplements

Posts: 718 | From Pennsylvania | Registered: Jun 2010 | IP: Logged |

EyeBob
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 12572

posted

Count it as an "anti-infective." It's a better way to describe it's action. It's also postulated to affect the inflammatory process which is probably why it's beneficial for RA, SLE and others. In Lyme, my understanding is that it augments the environment in cells that Bb may be hiding. It either makes the environment less inviting for them and/or facilitates the clarithromycin (Biaxin) to work better against the Bb.

Below are two links to look at if you're really interested or obsessed or bored..or all 3.

http://www.rxlist.com/plaquenil-drug.htm

and

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plaquenil

Posts: 299 | From New Hampshire | Registered: Jul 2007 | IP: Logged |

Amanda
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14107

posted

What eyeBob said plus

its a "quinine" drug. So its in the same drug class as Larium and other anti malarials.

IT supposed to help raise the pH inside your cells, which helps some abx penetrate better (lyme thrives in and creates a low pH environemnt)

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"few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example" - Mark Twain

Posts: 1008 | From US | Registered: Dec 2007 | IP: Logged |

triathletelymie
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 26456

posted

Thanks EyeBob and Amanda. And...EyeBob...I am all three! [Smile]

--------------------
? date of bite/no rash
10/09 symptoms, 4/10 diagnosed, after 6 mos. ER visits, tons of docs/tests
CDC+ 23/39/41/45/58/66/93
currently on oral plaquenil, doryx, rifampin, pyrazinamide, nystatin, numerous supplements

Posts: 718 | From Pennsylvania | Registered: Jun 2010 | IP: Logged |

BackinStOlaf
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 23725

posted

My doc said they stopped using plaquenil because they didn't notice it worked any better for their patients than NOT using it

--------------------
First Symptom 9/09
Multiple docs, negative Labcorp test
LLMD: 1/10
Positive Igenex/CDC test
Treatment 2/10
2/10-8/10 Amox, ceftin, zith, flagyl
Currently: Bicillin, Minocycline, still dealing with severe breathing issues

Posts: 1121 | From New York, New York | Registered: Dec 2009 | IP: Logged |

cleo
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 6646

posted

Plaquenil is in the quinolone family.

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1229016-overview

Levaquin is a quinolone family drug.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quinolone

Posts: 433 | From new york | Registered: Dec 2004 | IP: Logged |

lymeladyinNY
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10235

posted

Hmm, that's interesting, St. Olaf. I felt like plaquenil took me to a different level. I feel better on it than off it.

I told my LLMD I love it and please, keep me on it.

- Lymelady

--------------------
I want to be free

Posts: 1170 | From Endicott, NY | Registered: Sep 2006 | IP: Logged |

hurtingramma
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 7770

posted

I like plaquenil too. I also have psoriatic arthritis and it helps with that, but mainly it helps my brain function.

I have really bad cog fog when I'm off it, for one reason or another.

--------------------
"Few of us can do great things, but all of us can do small things with great love". Mother Theresa

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1629665573&ref=name

Posts: 938 | From Northeast Kingdom Vermont | Registered: Aug 2005 | IP: Logged |

rks
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 24316

posted

I was told that it's suppose to help with pain as well as babesia.

Posts: 217 | From Earth | Registered: Feb 2010 | IP: Logged |

bcb1200
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25745

posted

Plaquenil supposedly raises the PH of the cells and makes the BIaxin / Zith work better.

--------------------
Bite date ?
2/10 symptoms began
5/10 dx'd, after 3 months numerous test and doctors

IgM Igenex +/CDC +
+ 23/25, 30, 31, 34, 41, 83/93

Currently on:

Currently at around 95% +/- most days.

Posts: 3135 | From Massachusetts | Registered: May 2010 | IP: Logged |

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